The Secret to Success: Leave Your Mark by Aliza Licht review

You might not know this about me, but I’m an avid reader. From the time I was six years old Mom would take me to the public library on a weekly basis, where I’d promptly attempt to check out the entire Dr. Seuss shelf… every single time. Today my reading tastes are slightly more refined – with the exception of an entire shelf dedicated to the Percy Jackson series (10 titles and counting!). Hey, no judging!

So when I saw that Aliza Licht (better known as DKNYPRGirl®) had released a non-fiction book featuring her best career advice, I immediately reached out to Hachette Book Group to get my paws on it. After all, who in the fashion industry doesn’t want a few tips on how to get to where Aliza is today?!

But whoa, wait: just who is Aliza?

In real life, she’s a medical student turned fashionista. But for several years after 2009 Licht was known as the Gossip Girl of fashion, the omniscient voice behind Donna Karan’s Twitter handle that was somewhere between glamorous twenty-something New Yorker and clever insider PR girl for one of the biggest names of fashion in America. From behind an illustrated avatar Aliza commanded a following of nearly half a million (!), which didn’t waver even as she revealed her true identity years later. Recently she has announced that she is leaving DKNY (as did Donna herself, it would seem) to pursue opportunities related to the book, titled “Leave Your Mark.” Personally, I’m excited!

The book weighs in at 259 pages of pure, unadulterated fashion madness, from stories about which celebs gave her headaches over which awards show outfits to her sometimes vicious bosses as she climbed the corporate ladder. The best part? Each chapter is riddled with insider tips for helping you to find your passion and go for gold. Some of my favorites include:

“If you put it out there, it can be used against you.”

“Forget the long-term career goal. Nail what is in front of you and your next step will become crystal clear.”

And my personal favorite: “You are 100 percent being judged.”

You can, of course, pick and choose which sections to focus on: Landing Your Dream Job, Killing It in Your Career, Rocking Social Media, or Creating the Brand of You. Whichever one you choose (or if you read them all consecutively) you will enjoy Aliza’s storytelling and her advice. This is the type of book you need to highlight and take notes from!

So if you or someone you know is feeling stuck in fashion – dreaming about working in Vogue, not getting anywhere with your blog – pick up “Leave Your Mark” to get re-inspired. After all, it’s not all glamour and pizzazz in the world of fashion and beauty, but if you play your cards right, it just might be.

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